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GMAC Counters Lawsuit with Decision to Pull Lending in Massachusetts

""Ally Financial's"":http://www.ally.com ""GMAC Mortgage"":http://www.gmacmortgage.com says it will stop doing business with third-party lenders in Massachusetts.

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The announcement was made just one day after the state's attorney general said she ""has filed a lawsuit"":http://dsnews.comarticles/massachusetts-sues-five-largest-servicers-and-mers-2011-12-01 against GMAC and four other mortgage servicers over documentation and recording errors related to foreclosures.

GMAC Mortgage said Friday that it will cease purchasing new mortgage loans in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that are originated by correspondent lenders and wholesale brokers, effective Monday, December 5.

""GMAC Mortgage has taken this action because recent developments have led mortgage lending in Massachusetts to no longer be viable,"" the company said in a statement.

GMAC intends to continue to service its existing customers and honor its contractual obligations as a servicer.

""The company is disappointed that it can no longer participate in offering certain financing options in Massachusetts,"" GMAC said, ""however, it has an obligation

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to manage risks and deploy capital in an appropriate manner and in a way that protects the investment of the U.S. taxpayer.""

GMAC is still 74 percent owned by the federal government as a result of bailouts following the financial crisis.

On Thursday, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced that she ""has filed a lawsuit"":http://dsnews.comarticles/massachusetts-sues-five-largest-servicers-and-mers-2011-12-01 against GMAC, as well as Bank of America, Citi, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo.

The complaint alleges the companies used fraudulent documents in foreclosure proceedings, foreclosed without holding the actual mortgage, and failed to provide loan modifications promised to Massachusetts homeowners.

Mortgage Electronic Registration System, Inc. (MERS) and its parent company, Merscorp Inc., are also named as defendants.

The lawsuit follows more than a year of negotiations with the banks over a 50-state settlement focused around the issues of fraudulent documents, including robo-signing.

“In order to do business in Massachusetts, GMAC has to follow the law before foreclosing on homeowners,"" Coakley said in a statement issued in response to GMAC's decision.

""With today’s action, it appears GMAC has acknowledged it has a problem following those laws and being held accountable for doing so,” Coakley added.

Gina Proia, a spokesperson for GMAC, says the attorney general’s statement is ""incorrect.""

“GMAC Mortgage is currently operating in full compliance with the law. Any suggestion related to past activity will be heard before the court, and we are confident in our ability to prevail,” Proia said.

About Author: Carrie Bay

Carrie Bay is a freelance writer for DS News and its sister publication MReport. She served as online editor for DSNews.com from 2008 through 2011. Prior to joining DS News and the Five Star organization, she managed public relations, marketing, and media relations initiatives for several B2B companies in the financial services, technology, and telecommunications industries. She also wrote for retail and nonprofit organizations upon graduating from Texas A&M University with degrees in journalism and English.
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